Explosion-release mechanism for windows



$9 INVENTOR:

Hall/(mi TWdYiWz,

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 8 I FICiI.

H. T. WALTON EXPLOSION RELEASE MECHANISM FOR WINDOWS Filed Sept. 21, 1829 Nov. 8, 1932.

WITNESSES Z7 w 11 ATTORNEYS.

Nov. 8, 1932. H. T. WALTON EXPLOSION RELEASE MECHANISM FOR WINDOWS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 21, 1929 JNVENTOR: Howard TWaZZzrm ATTORNEYS.

A W .2 xi -2% Nov. 8, 1932. H. T. WALTON EXPLOSION RELEASE MECHANISM FOR WINDOWS Filed Sept. 21, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR: Howard T mlion,

ATTORNEY Nov. 8, 1932. v H. 'r. WALTON 84 EXPLOSION RELEASE MECHANISM FOR WINDOWS Filed Sept. 21, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 JET I N V EN TOR: Him/am? Tilfalzmz,

BY W

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 8,1932

UNrrEo STATES rATE r}forties HOWARD '1. WALTON, or oonnmeswoon, New JERSEY, Assrenon fro DAVID LUPTONS sons ooMrAnv, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A oonronnrron or PENN- SYLVAN IA EXPLOSION-RELEASE nrncnnnrsm ron-wrnnows I Application filed-September 21.12 29. Serial nofee aaas.

m Thisinvention relates to fireproofwindows and has reference, more particularly, to means whereby such windows may be automatically projected or opened under the impact ofan explosion.

The primary object of my improvements is to provide a novel means whereby pivoted sash may be automatically released and projected, when an explosion takes place within .thebuildinginto which said sash afford light and ventilation.

Another object of this invention'is the provision, in window sash of the kind referred to, of means effective to absorb the impacts, conductive to breakage of the sash lights or glass, set up incident to careless opening of such sash or when automatically thrown fully open due to an explosion within the building. 7 r

A further object of this invention is the provision of a release mechanism, ofthe type be readily applied to. standard types of fireproof -windows,'or it may be formed as a part thereof under original construction.

Other objects of this invention will appear from' the following descriptive matter, at

the end of which the novel features are claimed; and, inconnection with such descriptive matter, reference is made to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof. ,7 r V 'In-the drawings Fig. I'is an inside elevation of a window structure fitted with my improved lockin and explosion-release mechanism.

Fig. II is a sectional view, taken as indicated by the arrows II--II in the preceding illustration; I

Fig. III. is a detail view, on a larger scale, illustrating the sash locking-release mechanism in the closed position.

Fig. IV is a isimilar view illustrative of the parts under init al manual operation".

Fig. V is a like illustration showing the imparted by the locking-release device.

tive of the position assumed when influenced by an explosion.

Fig. VII is at perspective view of a chain roller guide for attachment to the upper rail of the window sash.

Fig'XVIII is a fragmentary perspective View. of the locking-release mechanism with associated window structure to which said mechanism 'i s attached.

Fig. IX is a perspective view of'a chain roller guide for fixture to a stationary rail of the window-frame. 1 I Fig. X' is anjenlarged fragmentary detail view illustrative of a shock absorbing means hereinafter fully explained. v

. Fig. 'XI 'isa sectional plan, taken approximately on the plane designated XI-'-XIin the preceding view; and, a .1

Fig. XIIis a perspective view ofanimpact element or shoe, later on again referred to.

In all the views corresponding parts are designated bylike reference characters.

'Referring in detailto the drawingaand more particularlyto-Figs. I and II thereof, a standardtype of fireproof window-frame or casement iscomprehensively designated by the nu eral'lo, the same being fittedwith a;

ventilator sash 11, adapted to swing outwardly on vertically movable friction pivots 12at the upper region thereof and strut links .1Fig. I, which determine lateral projection of said sash when thejlatter is opened under downward pull thereon manually or otherwise effected; or by explosive impetus automaticallythrough the medium or aid of my novel locking-release mechanism.

This locking-release mechanism, as best appreciated from Figs. III to VI; and VIII, consists of a latch member 13, convenientlyalthough not essentially.including a T-sectionibody portion 14 with a weight enlargement 15 atone end,and a journal embossment 16 at the otherfend,'whereby said latch memher is 'fulcrumed, by a pinor. rivet 17, to what may be conveniently termed a stirrup hearing 18. This stirrup bearing 18, as best seen in Fig. VIII, embodies abase flange 19 whereby it is secured to the lower cross rail 20 of the ventilator sash 11, by means of screws 21for example; as well as including upstanding'apertured ears 22, for a purpose later on' explained. It is also to be remarked that the latch member 13 is also formed with an angled extension 23, remote from the weightenlargement 15, which projects outwardly beyond and below the fulcrum 17 and that saidextension is provided with lateral rounded offsets 24, for coaction with the spaced components 25 of an abutment member 26, conveniently secured by screws 27, on the bottomrail 28 of the window frame or casement 10. V

Adjacent to and below the fulcrum axis 17, the latch member 13 is formed with a notch 29 which normally engages over the upstanding flange 30, of a component ofthe'window frame or casement 10, thereby to hold the sash 11 in closed position as best shown in Fig. III.

To effect operation of the sash 11 normally, a drop chainfor example-31, Figs. I and II, is provided, the same being connected or hooked at 32 to an upstanding apertured projection 33, on the weight enlargement 15, of the latch member 13. This chain'31 passes over a guide roller 34, freely journaled in a stirrup bearing 35-Fig. VIIsui-tably sei cured to the upper rail 11 of the sash 11,

thence downwardly, and over a second guide roller 36, journaled in a box-like bearing 37- Fig. IX, said bearing having a projecting rib 38 adapted to seat on the upstanding flange 30 aforesaid, of the window casement 10, and to which it is appropriately secured, as by a screw 39. After passage over the guide roller 36, the free end of thedrop chain '31 is-anchored, as by a cotter or split pin 40-Fig. VIII, between the apertured ears- 22 on the stirrup bearing 19 hereinbefore-referred to, as secured'to the lower cross rail 20, of the sash 11; Thus it will be readilyunderstood that by pulling downward on that portion of the drop chain 31 not directly connected to the weight enlargement 15, of the latch member. 13, or the left-hand length as viewed in Fig. I, said latch member. will be upwardly rocked on the pin or pivot 17. As a result of such movement, swinging of the sash 11 outward, on its pivots 12, will be brought about, through coaction of the angled extension olfsets 24 with thespaced components 25, of the abutment member 26, as best understandable from Figs. IV and V. It will benoted in the just explained connection, and more par ticularly from a study of Fig. IV, that the action described, does not, take place until the notch29 clears the upstanding casement flange 30, so that the sash llis actually opened by the impetus of the swinging weighted latch member 13, whereby the eflort necessary to manual operation is greatly eased; while the inclind stop portion 41, of the stirrup bearing 18, limits the upward swing of said weighted latch member.

To effectively prevent impact shocks incident to careless or the sudden explosive opening of the sash 11, I preferably attach at each side of the casementlO a shock absorber 42. These shock absorbers 42 are right-and-left counterparts and, as best understood from Figs. X and XI, comprise a trough-like case 43, one 7 longitudinal side whereof is somewhat extended to provide an attaching-offset flange 44, whereby the device is conveniently secured, as by rivets 45, to the side components of the casement 10. Longitudinally of the trough-like case 43, there is rigidly fixed a guide pin 46 encircled for a portion of its length by a buffer spring 47 on which seats the impact shoe 48. This impact shoe 48, as best understood from XII, embodies an apertured portion 49 freely accommodated in the case 43, with capacity for sliding movement longitudinally of the guide pin 46, and

a laterally outstanding impact projection 50 that is' rounded out at 51 for co-action with the sash pivot rollers 12', said pivot rollers being sustained by bearing elements 52 attached to the upper side portions of the sash 11, in the known way. The use and advantage of these shock absorbers 43 is so obvious as not to necessitate detail explanation herein, other. than to mention the fact they serve to reduce sash light breakages to a minimum.

In the event of an explosion within the building, the influence of suchexplosive pressure in the direction of the arrow 11 against the sash 11 as a whole, causes the same to be outwardly forced or swung on the friction pivots 12, the resistance of the weight 15 being overcome through enforced upward swinging movement of the latch member 13 in the direction of the arrow 13, as shown in Fig. VI,.induced by co-action between the notch 29 and flange 30, such coaction being assisted by slightly bevelling one edge 29' (Figs. IIIVI and VIII) of said notch for example; or, the exceedingly short-leverage rela ion of saidparts compared to that of the sash movement with respect to its pivots 12. Obviously the weighting'of the latch member 13 may be varied, in accordance with the size of the sash 11 to be operated, as well as to permit ready yielding at any predetermined pressure.

From the foregoing it is thought the aims and advantages of my explosion-release mechanism will be clearly appreciated, and while I have described the invention in a form which is believed to be best suited to c-ommercial practice, it is to be understood that the several features may be modified without departure from the general nature of said in- A as self to the discloseddetails, as theycan be varied within'the scope'of the claims without involving departure from the spirit of my improvements. 5 Having thus described my invention, what Iclaimis: I 1. A window with alaterally'projectible sash suspended bypivots above the transverse l. median thereof, and a weighted latchmember afforded pivotal bearing on the sash lower rail adapted to engage a stationary contiguous projection withcapacity to yield under explosive-pressure imposed on said sash from V the inside. c I V- 2. A window with a sash support'ed above center by vertically movable pivots and strut links determining lateral projection of such sash as the latter is opened by downward pull thereon, and a weighted latch member afforded pivotal bearing on the sash lower rail, said member being adapted to engage a projectionon a contiguous stationary part ofthe window frame with capacity to'yield-under explosive-pressure imposed on said sash from the inside. f

' 3. A window with a sash supported above center by vertically movable pivots and strut links determining lateral projection of such sash as the latter is opened by downward pull thereon, a weighted latch member afiorded pivotal bearing on the sash lower rail and having a notch co-operative with 'a projection on a contiguous horizontal railor the sill of the window frame with capacity to yield under explosive-pressure imposed on said sash fromrthe inside, and means whereby the sash may be manually operated.

l. A window with a sash supportedabove center by vertically movable pivots and-strut 49 links determining lateral projection of-such sash as the latter is opened thereon, aweighted latch member a-fli'orded pivotal bearing on the sash'lower rail and having a notchcoeoperative with a projec- 45 tion on a contiguous horizontal rail or the sill of the window frame with capacity to yield under explosiverpressure imposed on said sash from the inside, means wherebythe sash may be manually operated, and means 7 effective to absorb shocks incident to careless or sudden openingwhereby fracture of the sash light is prevented.

5. A window with a sash supported above center by vertically movablejpivots and strut links determining lateral projection of such sash as the latter is opened by downward pull thereon. a. weighted latch member ,afforded pivotal bearing on the sash lower rail with a notch normally engaging a contiguous stationary element and an angled extension cooperative with a fixed abutment to initiate outward projection of the sash whenreleased, said latch member also having capacity to 65 yield under explosive-pressure imposed on by downward pullthe sash from the inside, and means whereby the sash may be manually operatedr I 6. A window with a sash'supportediabove center by vertically movable pivots andstrut links determining lateralprojection of such s'ash as the latter is openedby downward pull thereon, a weighted latch member aflorded' pivotal bearingon-the sash lower'rail, said latch member having a notch normally-en: gaging a contiguous stationary element and an angled extension co-operative with a fixed abutment to initiate out-ward projection of the sash when released, "said latch member also having capacity toyield upon exertion of explosive-pressure imposed on the sash from the'inside, means whereby the sash may be manually v 7 ing swinging movement of the latch member.

7; A window with a sash supported above center by vertically movable pivotsand strut links determining lateral projection of such sash as the latter is opened by downward-pull operated, and stop means limit thereon, a Weighted latch member afforded pivotal bearing on'the sash lower rail; said latch member having a notch co-operative Withfa stationary projection ofthe window frame and an'angled extension embodying offsets adapted to engage fixed abutments to initiate'outwar'd projection of the sash'whe'n released, said latch member also having .cav pacity to yield upon exertion of explosive pivotal bearing on the sash lower rail, said latch member having a notch co-opera'tive with a stationary projection of the window frame and an angled 'extensionembodying offsets adapted to engage-fixed,abutments to initiate outward projection of the sash when released, said latch member-also havingfcapacity toyield upon exertion. of explosive pressure against-the sash from the inside,

stop means integral with the pivotal bearing 7 aforesaid to limit upward movement of the latch member, and adroprc-hain with associated guide means connected to the weighted latch member and the sash lower rail whereby said sash maybe manually operated.

9JA window with a sash supported above I center by vertically movable pivots and strut links determining lateral projection of such sash as the latter is opened'by downward pull thereon, a weighted latch member aflorded pivotal bearing on the" sash lower {rail, said latch member having aunotch co-operative with a stationary projection ofthewindow frame and an angled; extension embodyingoffsets adaptedlto engage fixed abutments; to initiate'outward projection of the sash when released, said latch member also having capacity to yield upon exertion of explosive pressure against the sash from. the inside, I

stop means integral with the pivotal bearing aforesaid to limit upward movement of the latch member, a drop chain with associated guide means connected to'the weighted latch member and the sash lower railwhereby said sash. may; be manually operated, and shock absorbers at each side of the window casement co-operative with the sash movable pivots inpreventing fracture of the sash light due to careless or sudden opening thereof.

1 10.jA window with a sash supported above center by vertically movable pivots and strut links'determining lateral projection of such sash as the latter is opened by downward pull thereon, a weighted latch member afiorded pivotal bearing on the sash lower rail, said latch member having a notch co-operative witha stationary projection of the window frame and an angled extension embodying offsets adapted to engage fixed abutments to initiate outward projection of the sash when released, said latch member also having capacity to yield upon exertion of explosive sash may pressure against the sash from the inside,

- sto means inte ral with the ivotal bearin O b aforesaid to limit upward movement of the latch member, a drop chain with associated guide means connected to the weighted latch member and the sash lower rail whereby said a sash may be manually operated, and shock absorbers at each side of the-window casement, each said shock absorber comprising a trough like case housing, a cushioned shoe engageable b 1 the aligned movable pivot aforesaid in preventing impacts tending to fracture the sash light.

11. 'A window with a sash supported above center-by vertically movable pivots and strut linksdeter'mining lateral projection of such 'sash' as the latter is opened by downward pull thereon, arweighted latch member afforded pivotal bearing on the sash lower rail,

said latch member having a notch co-operative with a stationary projection of the win- 7 dow frame and anangled. extension embodying offsets adapted to engage fixed abutments *to initiate outward projection of the sash when released, said latch member also having capacity to yield upon exertion of explosive pressure against the sash from the inside,

stop means integral with the pivotal bearing afores'aidto limit upward movementof the latch member, a drop chain with associated guide means connected to the weighted latch member and the sash lower rail whereby said be manually operated, and shock absorbers at each side of the window casement, each said shock absorber comprising a trough'like case housing a spring influenced shoe having a lateral projection hollowed out on the upper edge for co-action with the aligned movable pivot aforesaid in absorbing impacts due to careless or other sudden opening of the sash, for the purpose specified.

V 12. An explosion-release mechanism for windows of the type described comprising a stirrup bearingfor attachment to the window sash lower rail, and a weighted latch member fulcrumed in said bearing adapted to engage a contiguous stationary projection with capacity to yield under explosive pressureimposed on the window sash. 13, An explosion-release mechanism for windows of the type described comprising a stirrup bearing for attachment to the window sashlower rail, a weighted latch member fulcrumed in said bearing having a notch adapted to engage a contiguous stationary projection with capacity to yield under explosive pressure imposed on the window sash, and apertured earson the aforesaid bearing affording anchorage connection for appropriate manual sash operating means.

14:. As anew article of manufacture an attachment member, for windows of the type R described, comprising a body portion with a weight enlargement at one end and fulcrum bearing means at the other end having an angled extension projecting therebeyond with flanking offsets, for the purposes set forth.

15.-As a new article of manufacture an attachment member, for windows of the type described, comprising a T-section body portion with a weight enlargement at one end, a fulcrum bearing portion at the other end $9 with a subjacent notch, and an angled extension having lateral offsets below and beyond said bearing portion, for the purposes set forth.

. 16. As a new article of manufacture an at- J tachment member, for windows of'the type described, comprising a T-section body portion with a weight enlargement at one end,

a fulcrum bearing portion at the other end with a subjacent notch in the leg of theT portion and an angled extension includin lateral rounded ofisets below and beyond sai bearing portion, for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 17th day of September, 1929.

. HOWARD T. WALTON. 

